envy: “Don’t underestimate Toronto Defiant”

Things appeared to be going well for Kang-jae “envy” Lee and his Los Angeles Valiant teammates, until they weren’t.

A shock contract termination prior to Stage 3 of the inaugural season saw envy’s Overwatch League stay come to an end, and with clubs unwilling to sign him, he returned back home to compete in Contenders Korea.

“After I left the Valiant, I was practicing so that I can get back to the league for next season, envy said. “As you know, I was in Contenders Korea and I was sure and confident that I can get back into the Overwatch League Season 2.”

His hard work paid off, with new organisation Toronto Defiant making him one of their first signings ahead of their Overwatch League debut.

Toronto Defiant envy: “We’re being underestimated”

Toronto Defiant is one of eight new teams debuting in the Overwatch League in the 2019 season. In order to be an immediate success, they will have to outplay already experienced teams in New York Excelsior, London Spirfire and Philadelphia Fusion.

Yet, with a squad that contains envy, former Boston Uprising support Se-hyeon “Neko” Park, and former Los Angeles Gladiators DPS Joon-seong “Asher” Choi, there is plenty of Overwatch League experience in Toronto Defiant’s ranks.

The team started well with a 3-2 victory over Houston Outlaws over the weekend, coming back from a 2-0 deficit to secure victory in their opening game.

However, their inexperienced status means that their chances remain slim. Next week will see them go up against envy’s former team, with analysts expecting Los Angeles Valiant to pick up an easy victory.

Yet, according to envy, his former team would be unwise to take it easy against a Toronto side that is growing in confidence.

Speaking to InvenGlobal, envy said:

“Well, comparing our team to the Valiant, I know we are being underestimated by a lot of the analysts out there and the community. But with the win from today’s match [against Outlaws], we feel we have grown. Also, with more practice ahead of us, we cannot be overly confident.”